South Jersey Acoustic Roots Music Society (SJARMS) welcomes minstrel, humorist and storyteller, Mike Agranoff to our December, 2017 meeting on Monday, December 11, 2017 at the Medford Memorial Community Center, 21 South Main Street, Medford.
Doors open at 6:45 pm. The performance is free for SJARMS members and $10 for guests and non-members. As always, there will be an acoustic jam (all levels) following the performance.

For more information: 609-280-4926.

MIKE AGRANOFF is one of those folk performers that steadfastly defies categorization, and yet amasses stalwart fans from folk aficionados of all categories. He draws his material from sources as diverse as traditional ballads and fiddle tunes, Tin Pan Alley, contemporaries in the Folk World, and his own witty pen. He delivers it with a skilled hand on guitar, piano, and concertina, an almost telepathic transmittal of the essence of the song, and occasionally sly twinkle in the eye in anticipation of some of the most horrible parodies ever perpetrated on an unsuspecting audience. A signature feature of Mike’s performances are his inclusion of some heart-stopping spoken word pieces that rivet the listener to unforgettable stories.

SJARMS (South Jersey Acoustic Roots Music Society) is very excited to announce that we will be having Joe Newberry perform for our November, 2017 SJARMS meeting on Monday, November 13, 2017 at 7:00 pm at the Medford Memorial Community Center, 21 South Main Street, Medford, NJ.
After the performance there is an all-level acoustic jam until 9:20 pm that performance attendees are welcome to stay and listen to or participate in if they bring their acoustic instruments.

Admission is no charge for current SJARMS members and $10 at the door for visitors. More info 609-280-4926. Info on SJARMS membership: www.sjarms.com.

About Joe Newberry
Known around the world for his exquisite clawhammer banjo playing, Joe Newberry is also a powerful guitarist, singer and songwriter. The Gibson Brothers’ version of his song “Singing As We Rise,” featuring guest vocalist Ricky Skaggs, won the 2012 IBMA “Gospel Recorded Performance” Award. With Eric Gibson, he shared the 2013 IBMA “Song of the Year” Award for “They Called It Music.”
A frequent guest on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion, he was a featured singer on the Transatlantic Sessions 2016 tour of the United Kingdom with fiddler Aly Bain and Dobro master Jerry Douglas, and at the Transatlantic Session’s debut at Merlefest in 2017. In addition to performing solo, Joe plays in a duo with mandolin icon Mike Compton, sits in the banjo chair with old-time music legends Mike Craver, Bill Hicks, and Jim Watson, and performs with the dynamic fiddler and step-dancer April Verch.

Joe has taught banjo, guitar, singing, and songwriting at numerous camps and festivals, including Ashokan, Midwest Banjo Camp, American Banjo Camp, the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, Targhee Music Camp, the Swannanoa Gathering, Centrum Voice Works, the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, Pinewoods Camp, Vocal Week, Bluegrass Week, and Old-Time Week at the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, WV, the Australia National Folk Festival, the Blue Ridge Old-Time Music Week, and the Bluff Country Gathering. He was for many years the coordinator of Old-Time Week at the Augusta Heritage Center.

Quotes“A musician like Joe embodies the true South. You can’t have too many of these people.” — Garrison Keillor

“His lyrics read like a cross between Longfellow and Johnny Cash. The muse is sometimes gentle and other times rough. But she never strays too far from Joe Newberry’s side.” — Independent Weekly

“Most contemporary old-time artists get their inspiration from recordings either commercial or field made. Most of the time the artists spend their energy trying to copy the sound of their source. Joe Newberry goes one step further… He takes the music and makes it his own, and always respectfully.” — SingOut!

South Jersey Acoustic Roots Music Society (SJARMS) is thrilled to be featuring local musician Nancy Longenecker and her band Medford Station ( Joe Wills, Carl Haslett, and Al Suiter) on Monday, October 9, 2017 at 7:00 pm at the Medford Memorial Community Center, 21 South Main Street, Medford, NJ. The music they play is mostly bluegrass, folk, Irish, and traditional tunes.

After the performance there is an all-level acoustic jam until 9:20 pm that performance attendees are welcome to stay and listen to or participate in if they bring their acoustic instruments.

Admission is no charge for current SJARMS members and $10 at the door for visitors. More info 609-280-4926. Info on SJARMS membership: www.sjarms.com.

Bio for Nancy Longenecker:

Nancy Longenecker has played with Medford Station at many festivals and events in Medford and the South Jersey area and also played regularly at Albert Music Hall in Waretown, NJ. Two of Nancy’s most memorable gigs were the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences and Wind Gap Bluegrass Festival with the Outskirts band.

From 1995 to 2008 Nancy co-hosted the Burlington County Bluegrass radio show with Joe Wills. This show is still on the air on 88.9 FM on Saturday mornings from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM broadcast from Rowan College at Burlington County.

Nancy’s articles on bluegrass music have been published in Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine and Bluegrass Now.

She provides an opportunity for other musicians to join in at the Gazebo jams in Medford on Tuesday evenings during the summer months.

Nancy has studied traditional Irish fiddle with Kathy DeAngelo and can be seen at the Treehouse Coffeehouse in Audubon NJ playing Irish and Old Time music and also with the group Fiddlin’ Around.

She was awarded the distinction of “Citizen of the Year” in Medford, NJ in 2012 for her work in promoting folk, bluegrass and traditional roots music to the people of South Jersey and beyond.

Bio for Joe Wills:

Joe is well known for his banjo and dobro playing in addition to other instruments. He has performed in numerous bands over the years: Cedar Crick, Murphy’s Law, Lonnie Lacour, Timber Creek, Warm Hearted Country and with Heidi Olsen in THE NIGHT.

Currently, Joe is performing in the band BMW Highway with Mary Lutton and Bill Doerge as well as his main band BAD DOGZ which performs regularly at local South Jersey venues.

He is in his 23rd year of hosting the Burlington County Bluegrass Radio program on FM station 88.9 and has been a member of the Acoustic Musicians Guild for over 20 years.

Bio for Carl Haslett:

Carl Haslett has performed with several groups over the last 20+ years, beginning with the Termites of Tonality and their 1993 appearance at the Wreck of the Old 97 Festival in Danville VA. He is featured on vocals, guitar, and bass on their debut album “Out of the Woodwork.”

More recently, Carl has been the bassist in South Jersey for Medford Station (bluegrass), Homemade Jam (Classic country), and Ebenezer’s Elixir (Old Timey), and can often be seen at acoustic jams at the Treehouse in Audubon and Albert Hall in Waretown.

Bio for Al Suiter:

Al Suiter has played with various musicians and at many festivals in the South Jersey area. He is a regular mandolin player at Albert Music Hall and is sought out by many musicians to play with them when they perform at Albert Hall.

Al also plays at the Tuckerton Seaport Museum and at the Gazebo Jams in Medford NJ on Tuesday evenings during the summer months.

Sanctuary Poster 8-11-17South Jersey Acoustic Roots Music Society (SJARMS) will be featuring the acoustic band Sanctuary on Monday, September 11, 2017 at 7:00 pm at the Medford Memorial Community Center, 21 South Main Street, Medford, NJ. After the performance there is an all-level acoustic jam until 9:20 pm that performance attendees are welcome to stay and listen to or participate in if they bring their acoustic instruments.

Admission is no charge for current SJARMS members and $10 at the door for visitors. More info 609-280-4926. Info on SJARMS membership: www.sjarms.com.

Sanctuary bio:

Beth Anne, John and Vince of Sanctuary combine decades of professional experience along with a passion for jazz, folk, classic, as well as original music that has cross- generational appeal. Their set lists include tunes by artists such as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, as well as original compositions and songs from the American Songbook. Their sound is a combination of careful orchestration and carefree improvisation. Sanctuary is a safe place for the enjoyment of creative and uplifting music.

They most recently opened for the Cintron Orchestra at the Burlington County Summer Concert series at BCIT in Westampton.Sanctuary Poster 8-11-17

South Jersey Acoustic Roots Music Society (SJARMS) will be featuring the local performer, singer/guitarist/ penny whistle player Tom Kingston for our May meeting on Monday, May 8, 2017 at 7:00 pm at the Medford Memorial Community Center, 21 South Main Street, Medford, NJ.

Tom said he will play some Beatles tunes, some Irish tunes and a little of everything in between.

Admission is $10 at the door. More info 609-280-4926. Info on SJARMS membership: www.sjarms.com.

Tom’s bio:

Tom Kingston has been performing for over 45 years in the South Jersey and Philadelphia area. A Williamstown, NJ native, he earned a degree in music as a classical guitarist from Glassboro State College (Now Rowan University) but has extensive experience in other musical traditions, including rock, folk, jazz and traditional Irish, becoming proficient on several instruments as well as expanding his vocal abilities. His passion for music also led him to an eight year stint as the musical director and MC of The Circlewood Coffeehouse at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Cherry Hill where he presented such legends as Chris Smither, Richie Havens, John Hartford and Livingston Taylor in concert while also promoting the finest in local talent.

In addition to occasional solo performances, for over 25 years he has been a member of the Irish vocal group The Baloney Brothers, and for the past 15 years he served as a founding member of The Beatles musical tribute, The Rubber Souls, where he supplied guitar, keyboards, bass, percussion and vocals as well as being the primary arranger. Not just a Beatles reenactment, The Rubber Souls delved into the catalogue, performing and recording up to 80% of the Beatles recorded work. Tom’s deep knowledge of The Beatles music will take us into the songs, where secrets of their songwriting will be revealed!

Patty Blee and Ernie Trionfo will be our featured performers for the SJARMS (South Jersey Acoustic Roots Music Society) March meeting on Monday, March 13, 2017 at 7:00 pm at the Medford Memorial Community Center, 21 South Main Street, Medford, NJ. They will play one set and there is an all-level member acoustic jam afterward until 9:30 pm which visitors are welcome to participate in if you are a musician (bring your instrument) or stay and listen/ sing along.
Free to SJARMS members (for info on membership please see the membership tab above) and $10 for visitors and guests payable at the door. More info 609-280-4926.

About Patty: If you can imagine Sheryl Crow meeting Bonnie Raitt in a corner bar as they kick back a few cold ones with Lucinda, then you’ll have no problem envisioning Patty Blee pulling up a stool and fitting right in.
Her husky voice, confessional songs and roots-based sound have earned her numerous comparisons to such artists. Displaying a distinctive guitar style full of bass lines and grooves, Patty intertwines memorable melodies into mid and up-tempo songs of love and longing. A wide range of influences are evident in her musical palette– blues, folk, Celtic, country, and rock. Music meant to move the soul…

Ernie Trionfo is a legendary South Jersey guitar man, both in terms of playing and repairing guitars. He is a member of both “Home at Last” and “The Snake Brothers” and is an in-demand session player. He has also been the owner of “Ernie’s Guitar Repair” for more than 20 years now in Minotola, NJ. He repairs and sells musical instruments and accessories and runs the lesson program at Music Central in Minotola.

Ernie recently collaborated on a new CD called “Lifers” with our well known SJARMS friend and Honorary Advisory Board member, Jimmy Heffernan. Information on obtaining the CD is below or you can purchase one when you come out to hear him at the March SJARMS meeting.

South Jersey Acoustic Roots Music Society (SJARMS) is thrilled to be hosting Cranberry Jam, a local old-time acoustic band consisting of 2 old- time banjos and one acoustic guitar on Monday, January 9, 2017 at 7:00 pm at the Medford Memorial Community Center, 21 South Main Street, Medford, NJ. Admission $10 at the door. From fiddle tunes to heartfelt ballads, Cranberry Jam creates a unique blend of old- time/traditional/folk music. Info 609-280-4926. More Info about Cranberry Jam and SJARMS membership: www.sjarms.com.

Cranberry Jam’s Bio:

Members of the band include long- time SJARMS members Joe Jones and Donna Feldman playing banjo, and Cathy George playing guitar. In addition to Joe being a long-time member of SJARMS, Joe is a versatile musician and member of the Stone Mountain Road Bluegrass Band. He was also a member of the talented and well-known Jersey Grass Bluegrass band back in the late 70’s.

Joe, Donna and Cathy became acquainted at the SJARMS monthly meetings. When Donna and Cathy first met, they shared their love of old- time music and began playing fiddle tunes. Donna and Cathy began meeting weekly at Donna’s house to play. Donna’s banjo and Cathy’s guitar together resonated a beautiful sound in the living room. They loved it, so they continued playing new tunes and singing new ballads. A year later, Joe Jones, also a lover of old- time music, began playing his banjo with Donna and Cathy. Joe’s extensive music expertise and knowledge helped the band progress further. Since then, the band has developed a large repertoire of ballads and instrumentals.

The Band’s mutual love for the Pine Barrens took them playing outside, and from playing at a cranberry harvest, the name “Cranberry Jam” seemed natural. Since then, Cranberry Jam has played at “Lines on the Pines”, “Hammonton Summer Nights”, “Whitesbog Blueberry Festival”, “Apple Day” at Hill Creek Farms in Mullica Hill and “The Station” in Merchantville. Cranberry Jam also performs frequently at the SJARM’s open mics. They also love to play music in the pines in the summer time. So, if you hear music in the background while taking a walk in the pines, it just may be Cranberry Jam playing their old-time music!

They will perform one set followed by an all-level acoustic jam. Please bring your acoustic instrument if you want to join in jamming.

South Jersey Acoustic Roots Music Society (SJARMS) is very excited to be hosting folk performer/songwriter/guitar and mandolin player Jefferson Hamer and fiddler/songwriter Adam Moss on Monday, December 12, 2016 at 7:00 pm at the Medford Memorial Community Center, 21 South Main Street, Medford, NJ at the December, 2016 SJARMS members meeting. They will perform one set followed by an all-level acoustic jam.
Admission $10 at the door for guests and visitors. Free for SJARMS members.

More info 609-280-4926. Info on SJARMS membership: www.sjarms.com.Please also see our Facebook page: South Jersey Acoustic Roots Music Society.

Based in Brooklyn, NY, Jefferson Hamer performs original and traditional songs with collaborators from both sides of the Atlantic. He recently toured with Cambridge, MA roots rock ensemble Session Americana in support of their new album Great Shakes. His Child Ballads album with Anais Mitchell earned a BBC2 Folk Award in the Best Traditional Track category, and was named one of NPR’s top-ten Folk and Americana releases of 2013. His acoustic collaboration with Dublin-born Eamon O’Leary, The Murphy Beds, features ten folk songs sung in harmony duets, decorated with intricate guitar and bouzouki accompaniment. The Huffington Post said it succinctly: “The resulting album bears repeated listening from start to finish, with ten beautiful, crystalline songs.”

Brooklyn based fiddler and songster Adam Moss’ musical career can most easily be characterized by the variance of his influence. Adam loves and plays in the Klezmer, Bluegrass, Old-time and swing traditions which lends itself to a very unique and innovative style in performance setting. He is actively touring with Boston’s Session Americana, Brooklyns The Defibulators, Ana Egge, and has formerly toured with Anais Mitchell’s “Hadestown,” and Texas’ 3 Redneck Tenors.

In addition to the above, Adam is currently working on multiple projects, including his original solo project, his family band “Moishe Circus, and is a committed accompanying member of his twin brother David Moss’ project under his own name.

As always, there will be an acoustic jam following the performance- please bring your acoustic instrument if you want to join in jamming.

Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMojYUCq88Y Published on Sep 12, 2016

Jefferson Hamer covers “Talk to Me of Mendocino” by Kate and Anna McGarrigle at the Sisters Folk Festival in Oregon.

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Published on Nov 30, 2014

Anaïs Mitchell & Jefferson Hamer performing an acoustic cover of the Jethro Tull song ‘Skating Away on the Thin Ice of a New Day’ at Caedmon Hall, Gateshead, England on 7th March 2013.